Testing transposable elements as genetic drive mechanisms using Drosophila P element constructs as a model system.
The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element constructs were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry+ allele into populations homozygous for a ry- allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequencies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry+ marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% introductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry+ transposon occurred in several control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carrying ry+ markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absence of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hybridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.
Carareto
C M
CM
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
Kim
W
W
Wojciechowski
M F
MF
O'Grady
P
P
Prokchorova
A V
AV
Silva
J C
JC
Kidwell
M G
MG
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001947:Breeding; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D005828:Genetics, Population; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010641:Phenotype; D010957:Plasmids; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements